Tag Archives: to do

It’s that time of year again – October, our favorite month, not only for all the fun you can have with Fall Fashions, but also for all the creepy cool stuff that begins to emerge with Halloween in our midst!! And with Halloween and all that ghoulishly good inspiration all around comes the re-emergence of GHOST HOLE, the all-night art extravaganza which will take place on Toronto Island in its fifth incarnation.

Also exciting is that yours truly will be taking part in the goings-on this year with an art installation entitled “Voodoo Beach” which will bring light to Toronto’s dark slave history with the imagined rituals and romance of voodoo in all its many faces.

This Friday join the curators of GHOST HOLE, and some of Toronto’s best bands for a fundraiser for the event which will provide much needed $$$ to pay for this one of a kind wild night of art and horror, and help provide some much-needed income to the night’s artists’ who have come together to choreograph this wickedly wild experience that you will never forget.

Check out bands Fresh Flesh, Doctor Ew, Wake Island, CRHYMES, and Rambunctious at Double Double Land (209 Augusta Ave) in Kensington Market with a suggested donation of $5 and plenty of cheap drinks to be had all the night through! Sounds like a blast, right?

Be there or be square. Check out this wicked promotions video by the ever-talentedBrandon A. Dalmer for the night’s event to help get you in the mood. . .

The Eye of Faith‘s own Aaron Robert Duarte took the street, and captured some magic moments that really showcase our neighbourhood’s most unique quality. There is a great blend of past and present, old and new, and nature and man-made that make this a one-of-a-kind corner of the globe that must be showcased and admired.

Also, if you are in Toronto this weekend, make sure to make a stop in the Junction this Sunday, and visit {theEye} at the Junction Flea. The event is from 9am – 4pm, and is located in the empty lot on Indian Grove and Dundas Street West – the original outdoor location where the Junction Flea was born. Admission is $2.

Revealing the Early Renaissance: Stories and Secrets in Florentine Art (March 16 – June 16, 2013)

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (317 Dundas Street West)

$25 adult admission (includes admission to the rest of the gallery)

When thinking of the Renaissance, one might automatically conjure up images of Da Vinci, his Vetruvian man, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. It is a period in history renowned for its surge of creativity, knowledge, and innovation in areas of art, literature, music, architecture, and science.

It is a period that is also become more and more in vogue due to its resurgence in popular culture with T.V. shows like “The Tudors”, “The Borgias”, and the upcoming “Da Vinci’s Demons”, all putting their spin to this exciting and important moment in history.

But, what is rarely captured is the true birth of this period, and the movers and shakers who brought it all to life.

Perhaps its the fact that most art historians do not even know the names of most of the incredible artisans who painstakingly brought the churches of Florence to life with incredibly illuminated manuscripts, carvings, stained glass windows, and beautifully detailed panel paintings, between the years 1300 and 1350, that truly did start it all.

In partnership with the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the curators have painstakingly worked on this exhibition for the past 10 years, travelling far and wide to analyze and bring overseas for the first time some of the most elaborate examples of work from this period that define the breaking point from the flatness of Medieval art to a more expressive and “humanized” perspective that has come to characterize the Renaissance.

Many of these pieces have been shut away from the public for centuries, making this one of the most impressive exhibits the AGO has ever premiered, and one that is sure to capture the imagination of all those lucky enough to visit.

One might, at first, be intimidated by the prestige of such an exhibit, but fear not, as this portal on the past is as much a reflection of our present day, as it is the 14th Century.

Whether or not you know a great deal about Renaissance art, the exhibition is packed full of information, from the audio guide, to the i-pads strategically placed amongst the exhibition to give you the full backstory on some of the exhibition’s most intriguing pieces. The curators have created an easy to understand story, that truly captures all the excitement and mystery of the artists and the works they created amidst the social context of Florence during this period.

God is in the Details . . .

As you first step into the gallery, it may not immediately strike you how these works differ from the Medieval illustrations and paintings you are used to, but upon closer examination, you will find how rich, textured, and full of emotion each piece truly is.

They are not works of art to be admired from afar, but works that deserve an acute eye, and a willingness to get lost in the stories being told within them.

There is a certain excitement generated as you begin to see the layers of colour, and painstakingly small brush strokes that capture the most miniscule details of hair and embroidery. While our culture might be used to multiple images rapidly flashing before our eyes (surely a luxury akin to witchcraft for the men and women of the Renaissance), one must note that the multi-faceted panels and illuminated manuscripts are akin to the cinema of the Renaissance, with all the drama, suspense, horror, and spectacle you could expect from a film of today, with even a bit of special effects here and there.

An exquisite panel painting. Blood, gore, and devotion. The piece reads almost like an expensive 14th Century comic . . .

It”s all for devotion sake, of course; used to invoke prayer, meditation, deep-thought, or contemplation. There’s definitely that sense of entertainment in the midst, often showcasing the more brutal and tumultuous moments of martyrs and Christ: Agatha with her breasts being cut off, another martyr is grilled on coals in ecstasy, and check out any crucified Christ in the mix and you’re bound to see more than your year’s worth of blood squirt (the most impressive, hands down, being Pacino Di Bonaguido’s “The Crucifixion” from 1315-1320, whose flowing blood rains on the spectators of the scene, as well as a juicy squirt from the chest for the viewer).

Pacino De Bonaguida’s “The Crucifixion” and Detail of (1315-1320)

And while, we might cringe at the sight of this, its patrons felt the bloodshed and pain was the human aspect of their faith, and that one day perhaps, they may themselves reach divination, as did their faithful predecessors.

Getting lost in each piece, you begin to see that this society was obsessed with their idols, and their chance to be a part of them was as easy as getting a master to paint them into a panel or manuscript. In essence, it equated a wealthy merchant to the status of celebrity, having made his way onto the pages alongside the kingdom of heaven complete with Christ, the Virgin, and all the many martyrs who gave their life to the dedication of their fate.

The most entertaining example of this is the Laudario of Sant’Agnesse; an illuminated choir book commissioned by the Compagnia di Sant’Agnese, a fraternity of merchants, for use in charitable events and prayer, and who are also illustrated along the margins of the music. This remarkable collection of 24 illustrated manuscripts have been framed and reunited for the first time since the early 1800s, and will be performed by musical guests Lionheart on April 6 in the Walker Court of the AGO (click for more details).

It is amazing to think that at one time, masters like Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Michelangelo must have set their gaze on these exact works to hone their own craft, and garner inspiration to create the masterpieces of the Renaissance we marvel at today. For when staring at the suggestive expression of Bernardo Daddi’s “A Crowned Virgin Martyr” (1334-1338), a glimpse of Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” with her mysterious stare, and face full of subtle shadows that delicately sculpt her face, can definitely be seen, which make the exhibition all the more exciting, and relevant.

In many ways, the exhibition brings to light that not much has changed in the world of art and commerce; citing the importance of banking and the prosperous merchant class to the creation of these vital works of art. Being so wealthy, members of the merchant class became so concerned that they may not reach heaven, that they began spending their fortunes on commissioning buildings, and filling them with new art that expressed their hopes, fears, ideals, and emotions.

With prosperity, comes art – and not much has changed today, as many of the world’s most successful artists rely on wealthy investors and corporate big wigs to the cut the cheque on a commission. Perhaps they no longer fear purgatory for their sins, but they are most definitely keeping their fingers crossed that their commission could strike them big dollars, and in that way, achieve idol status, and a bit of heaven.

The exhibition has already been lauded by the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times as one of the most important exhibitions in recent years, so don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel through time, and take in 90 once-hidden masterworks that came to redefine life as we know it today.

This will be the first ever Halloween event happening at the site, which boasts an impressive haunted history. Visitors of the old school have cited strange feelings and occurrences in the building which was rebuilt in 1909 after a fire burnt down the original school in 1888.

There are over 30+ exhibiting artists and over six musical performances scheduled for thisone-day only event .

GHOST HOLE IV takes place on Saturday October 27th from 2pm to midnight. Rain or shine.

12$ tickets on sale now at Soundscapes, 572 College St. All proceeds from event go to funding participating artists and supporting local
not-for-profit arts organizations.

{The rebuilt School House at Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island}

We will be there, and if you have are in town, love the unknown, and have a taste for great art you will bet here too.

These rooms are specifically designed for communication with the spirit realm through the use of mirrors. This technique of seeking mirrored surfaces to open portals to other dimensions has been used since the Ancients.

Artists have also been revered in the past as gifts from the Gods for their supernatural talent, and what better use of this psychic tendency than to help the invocation of the lost wandering souls holding on to the memories had within the school’s walls.

What can we say about Pablo Picasso that hasn’t been said? Genius is a word that gets thrown around a lot , and justly so – the man completely reconfigured the landscape of creative and artistic possibility for all people that continues to flourish to this day.

{THANKS, PICASSO!}

However, in our one-stop society it’s easy to forget all the other titles that come to mind: rebel, clown, father, grandfather, playboy – but rarely do we find the artistic impresario ranking the best dressed list for men’s style, and that’s a {goddamn} shame! Here is a man that not only redefined the art world, but took on menswear with an equally individualistic eye.

Luckily, we are always looking for idols to worship here at The Eye of Faith, so it was not hard to add Pablo Picasso to our growing rank of E.O.F. Style Idols! And here’s why:

Easily one of the most effortlessly stylish men to have graced the Earth, around here we’ve come to revere the art God’s sense for simplicity when it comes to getting dressed. With little more than a pair of shorts for the beach, a great pair of leather sandals, and a striped shirt- Picasso shows it doesn’t take much to get the job done.

Look for work wear inspiration at every turn – after all, much of Picasso’s life was spent working in his studio, so it’s no surprise to see a fine collection of simple cotton button-up shirts adorning the man in most of his photos. These shirts are more often black, but we favor some of the bolder options- like polka dot, gingham, and check. Especially, for the warm weather, feel the urge and brighten up a little!

We can definitely learn a thing or two from the nonchalance and effortlessness of such a well-rounded and inspiring man. The key, is definitely in one’s own attitude. Picasso believed:

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

and it’s this sentiment exactly that we find in Picasso’s life day-to-day. The ability to laugh at life’s many pressures and queries, and enjoy life to the fullest is every man’s greatest challenge.

So, while the weather has shaped up for the better, best enjoy it to the fullest, and keep it easy and breezy like you’re on the beach with Picasso! That way, your time can be best spent living instead of all the fussing. After all, you never know when you might want to bust out the paint! Best pick articles of clothing that best suit paint splotches…

When it comes to summer- always look for comfort. It’s too hot to have to care, most of the time. So looking good doesn’t have to get you down whatsoever. Instead, just play your style cards few but freely, always seeking simple looks to get you through the hours, or day.

Here in Toronto, we are lucky enough to get a visit from the artist. While under renovation, some of the artists’ most famous works from the Musee National Picasso are being housed at the AGO.

Staff of The Eye of Faith had a chance to visit the exhibition, which provided plenty of wonderful insight into Picasso’s character, as well as the chance to see some of his most famous works right up close! It’s a fairly large footprint, and the curators of the exhibit definitely do a great job at portraying Picasso’s long-lasting legacy.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of the everyday.”

-Pablo Picasso

How exciting! It’s not every day the AGO gets shipped such iconic (and expensive) pieces of history – from Paris, nonetheless! So if you’re lucky enough to be in Toronto, or are planning to make the visit, definitely make sure you add Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris to your TO-DO list.

The show runs until August 26, 2012 and is sponsored by BMO. Don’t waste another minute! The show was packed when we made our visit, so make sure you don’t miss out on your chance!

CLOTHING & LIFESTYLE Blog: Explorations of the [past/present/future]

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The men and women who inspire…Style Idols and Divinities are unique individuals with style beyond the things they wear, but also the way they lived. Delve into their unique stories accompanied by an expansive array of photos to muse over!

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

The Eye of Faith {Vintage} is a brand dedicated to integrating time traveled wisdom from the {past} with the {present} to help shape the {future}. It is an age old symbol of believing in oneself, and having faith in your dreams. No longer must we be lost. We are a burgeoning society dedicated to an alternative to the purchase of affordable fashion forward apparel, accessories, and home decor. We also provide design services and consultation, as well as costume and styling. At our core, we are a source of inspiration and musing.
Please enjoy your time here.
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